Lemon Tree

I just came back from seeing Lemon Tree, an Israeli film about a Palestinian widow whose life is disrupted when the Israeli Defense Minister moves next door to her home and beautiful grove of lemon trees, and his secret service people decide that they need to cut down all the trees so that terrorists cannot hide in them and shoot him.  The incredible Israeli actress, Hiam Abbass (The Visitor), plays Salma, the widow, who refuses to be intimidated by the order to destroy her life and means of support.  She hires a lawyer and fights the order to destroy her beloved grove of lemon trees, all the way to the Israeli Supreme Court.  Her courage and her struggle change the lives of the people around her, most especially the wife of the Defense Minister.  The film, which is based on a true story, gives an intimate and complex character portrayal and humanizes those who are effected by the years of prejudice, fear, terror, and politics.  It does not overdramatize or judge, although I think it does draw an unfavorable picture of some Israelis and their lack of regard for the Palestinians, whose  every day lives are impacted by the decisions that they make.  I recommend this film–look for it  at your video store or on Netflix.